Fadhil Yunus
Brunei Darussalam’s star Faiq Jefri Bolkiah made history after becoming the first player representing the Sultanate to score for a foreign club in a top professional league during Chonburi FC’s 1-0 win against Port FC in the Thai Premier League 1 at the Chonburi Municipality Stadium in Thailand last weekend.
The national sensation‘s match-winning goal helped his team rise to second place, a single point ahead of Ratchaburi FC in the Thai top flight.
Faiq, who made the switch from Europe to Asian football amid lack of playing opportunities in Portugal, finally opened his account for the club in his seventh league appearance this season.
The Bruneian, who boasted playing experience in Europe particularly during his youth career with English Premier League outfits Chelsea and Leicester City, also had a goal disallowed following a video assistant referee (VAR) review.
The historic moment came in the ninth minute after he blasted the ball from close range after Port FC goalkeeper had initially saved Chalermpong Kerdkaew’s header.
With infringement concerns involving the goalkeeper playing in the referee’s mind, a VAR review was carried out for the opening goal but it was given as no alleged wrongdoing was found.
Faiq also slammed his effort into the back of the net in the second half, but this time his goal was ruled out following a VAR review as his teammate was suspected of offside in the build-up to the goal.
Port FC thought they rescued a point seven minutes from time but Sergio Suarez’s goal was ruled out following a third VAR review of the game.
The Brunei international added his name in the record books after becoming the first player to represent his country in a top division international football league during his debut for the club in January 2022 against Muangthong United.
It ended his wait to make a senior appearance in a professional football having been previously named as an unused substitute in the Primeira Liga with former club Maritimo SC.
Prior to Faiq’s historic feat, national player Adi Said became the first Bruneian-born to score for a foreign team in an overseas league for former club UiTM FC, but it was in the Malaysia Premier League at the time, the country’s second division.
